SECRETARY'S REPORT WS 
bers of Dipetalonema annulipapillata. Other than these parasites, no 
gross lesions were recognized in this individual. The remaining ani- 
mals were given antibiotics and oral anthelmintics (piperazine). A 
short time later a second quokka died from an intestinal intussuscep- 
tion. It was then noticed that most of the remaining animals were 
exhibiting exfoliative type of skin lesions, scrapings from which were 
negative. Necropsy findings on another animal dying at this time 
were grossly negative, except for the previously mentioned para- 
sitism. 
Between February and late May there began a progressive posterior 
paralysis of the remaining five quokkas. The skin trouble had vir- 
tually disappeared and the appetites remained good although some- 
times variable. In addition to the vitamin and mineral supplements 
which these animals had been receiving for several months, injectable 
forms of vitamin E were administered. During this time all recom- 
mended diets had been offered and eaten. Despite the treatments and 
nutritional changes the paralysis progressed. Two of the animals 
were euthanized and the remaining ones died. Necropsies were done 
at the National Institutes of Health and the Armed Forces Institute 
of Pathology. As yet the preliminary reports from these agencies 
have shed no light on this peculiar and perplexing syndrome. 
Eight albatrosses were received in December 1957 from U.S. Naval 
Installation at Midway Island. Four were black-footed and four 
were Laysan albatrosses. All seemed to be adults in good condition, 
but none would eat voluntarily. Forced feeding with trout and smelt 
fortified with vitamin capsules was begun, but in 2 weeks a Laysan 
died. None of the birds was self-feeding at this time and several 
were noticeably weaker. First necropsy findings were essentially 
negative except that very large numbers of Zetrabothrium cestodes 
were found in the small intestine. 
Before the end of January three Laysan and two black-footed birds 
had been lost from terminal aspiration pneumonia, probably incurred 
through regurgitation of their forced feedings. Weakness continued 
to be prominent along with regurgitation of feedings. In February 
two more black-footed birds died, one of which was found to have 
shght pulmonary aspergillosis. The remaining bird was removed to 
another building with its own water tank, where it was felt that the 
atmosphere would be more humid. This individual died late in 
March with lipid pneumonia, probably from the oil on the force-fed 
fish. 
After losing all eight birds it was evident that the necropsy find- 
ings were secondary, but what the primary condition had been was 
not known. Recently it was learned that several albatrosses were 
being successfully kept at Pennsylvania State University by adding 
